Just Turned 65…So What?
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It is the year 2012. I like walking hand in hand on the beach at sunset; but not pina coladas. I like long slow wet kisses that last for three days, the theme song from "Rocky," and the sound of a well struck tennis ball.
I'm happily married with three kids and four grandkids; and I'm being truthful about the happily married part -- not just because my wife is reading this, but because we both know how to keep smiles on each other's faces.
I'm turning 65, and I have lots of company. Did you know that for the next 17 years Boomers will continue to turn 65 at a rate of 8,000 per day, and today 13% of the U.S. population is 65 or older. By 2030, people 65 and over will make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population...almost one in five of us. And here's one I like: The first person to live to be 150 has likely already been born! We will transform the institution of retirement, as we have transformed other aspects of American life.
How will this transformation affect you? Today's economy is showing faint signs of recovery, but the world's recessionary tsunami already damaged the land. Our retirement nest eggs are cracked, and it's "Hi ho, Hi Ho," back to work Boomers go.
Half of us expect to work at least part-time when we "retire." We'll have offices in our homes, high-speed Internet, computers, and smart phones. We'll buy homes at beaches, in mountains and college towns, where physical and intellectual action is the place to be. We have a renewed interest in health and fitness, because we have to keep up with our realigned passions and goals. We not only retire FROM something; we retire TO something!
But now, more about the birthday boy. I ask myself: "What have I been doing for fun over the last 65 years?" Anything to show for it? After graduating college and pursuing a career as a professional athlete, operating and selling two businesses, connecting with my loving wife and family, and actively supporting my community, all of my running and all of my cunning, led me to a couple of positive light bulb moments:
Work smart, play often, and encourage others.
Create value for yourself and others. It feels good.
Surround yourself with positive people, events and places. They help make life worth living, and they are fun to watch.
Make your healthy decisions a lifestyle; not just the beginning of a diet or fad.
Laugh at stuff...yourself mostly.
All living things move. Shake your booty, and keep moving.
Maintain your spirit of youth. Remember what it was like when you first saw the ocean or accidently stepped barefooted onto a bee?
Tell her you love her, and hang on for the ride of your life.
Keep learning! Do new things and get better at something, even if it's playing the guitar.
Eat and drink things that boost your lifestyle, not weigh it down.
Smile, and people smile back.
Walk with a "feel good" posture, and you'll feel better. "Things are literally looking up."
Above all, never try to light 65 candles at one time!
Turning 65 this year -- what are you doing for the second half of your life? We'd love to hear from you!
MK Reichenbach
7:19 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
This blog caught my eye because I turned 54 this year. I like how you think! Every day is precious. Those are just words to some people until you are actually faced with a life or death situation. But they are so true. Bring on the numbers!! 65 might sound old to some, but when you turn 80, you will look back on 65, and say "wow wish I was that age again". You have the right attitude, and spirit. Keep on, keeping on. 54 isn't so bad either.
Sheri & Bill Eppright
1:56 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thanks, MK. We enjoy surrounding ourselves with positive people...seems like an ageless strategy. Someone to love and something to look forward to works too.
Positively Yours,
Bill
Nancy Bowen
7:44 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
O. M. G. Bill, you now look just like your father!
Sheri & Bill Eppright
2:05 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hi Nancy.
...his blood runs through my instrument, and his song is in my soul
Positively yours,
Bill
Sharon Swanepoel
7:54 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Bill, my husband turns 59 this year and spends every spare minute watching the waves to see when to head to the beach to surf. He will be very happy to know you're still doing the same thing at 65!
Sheri & Bill Eppright
2:12 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hi Sharon,
I learned to swim and body surf in Ocean City, New Jersey. I miss it so.
Sun on my skin...salt in my eyes...sand in my shorts.
Well, I miss most of it anyway :-)
Positively yours,
Bill
Sharon Swanepoel
8:41 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Bill, my husband said to tell you take one glass of water, two tablespoons of salt, stir, then pour it over your head. Let the salt water run in your eyes, taste the salty water and it will bring those memories back. Surf's up!
Joan Pressman
8:59 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
The best is yet to come
Sheri & Bill Eppright
2:17 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hi Joan,
Yes. Enjoy it now, and plan for more.
Thank you, "Ma'am...may I have another :-)
Positively yours,
Bill
David Leader
10:46 am on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Fantastic blog, people like you inspire me. The Atlanta Outdoor Club that I belong to has a decent number of older hikers, including one of my favorite hike leaders, Charlie Cunningham. He is 70 and leads a hike or two every week; including through difficult areas where I can have trouble keeping up. The reason I hike and eat the way I do is because it is fun and because I hope I can do all of the things you do as I grow older as well. Congratulations, you're a true inspiration.
Sheri & Bill Eppright
2:29 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Hi David,
Thanks for the encouragement. You have my vote too.
I'll check out the Atlanta Outdoor Club. Sounds like a bunch of good folk.
Positively yours,
Bill
joy
9:38 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Interesting blog and comments. We are senior citizens, retired from employment, but living in Peru, South America as full time missionaries serving our great God! Now our activities are varied, and we don't exercise as such, but fresh fruit and vegetables are so very plentiful, it's easy to 'eat right'. Then, too, we don't own a car, so it's always a walk to catch a bus wherever we are going. My husband (78 this July) always said he didn't want to retire in a rocking chair. Our apartment is on the 5th floor of a modern (4 years old) building and there are no elevators! We are not rich by any means and yet frugal living, serving others, and not sitting on our butts has great advantages. Our health is better than it ever has been.
Sheri & Bill Eppright
8:17 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Hi Joy,
Thank you for sharing your story.
Sometime when our passions and goals become a driving force, the personal lifestyle decisions we make automatically support fulfillment of those goals. If the end justifies and designs the means, perhaps we should be careful what we ask for and put our minds to. It just might happen. :-)
Positively yours,
Bill
Benita
10:25 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thank you for your thoughts on next phase of life. Since I semi-retired, a widow, I strive to be positive. This year taking time to smell the roses, helping others and exercising. Always be positive, keep your mind active and give someone a hug, humor and maybe a kiss if you know them. enjoy life, take each day one day at a time.
Benita
Sheri & Bill Eppright
12:44 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Hi Benita,
Thank you for sharing.
I just read a key chain fob at the store that said, "Learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow. We all talk to ourselves from time to time. Hope I say the right things :-)
Positively yours,
Bill
Joan Pressman
1:54 pm on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, today is the PRESENT,open your gift with a positive attitude and a smile every morning
Madeline Darnell
10:35 am on Monday, February 20, 2012
Our greater Athens, Georgia community has a grant just for Boomers, who may reinvent retirement as they've reinvented many other aspects of our culture. It's called The Boomers: Reflecting, Sharing, Learning and the website is boomersinathens.org.
The grant if for the Athens Regional Library and Lyndon House Arts Center to explore ways of holding life-long-learning opportunities for boomers and all others in the community through technology. As Sheri and Bill noted, this generation is uses the internet and cell phones as well as actively pursues health, community welfare and happiness. We'd like everyone to know about the program and join in.
Sheri & Bill Eppright
9:25 am on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thanks Madeline for the information! We are hoping we will find other such opportunities for Boomers across the metropolitan Atlanta area as well. We checked out the website you mentioned...do you have a place for blogging/contributors as I am sure many of your topics run parallel to ours, and we would love to be contributors as positive and active Boomers ourselves! Positively yours, Sheri & Bill
Madeline Darnell
3:06 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thanks Sheri and Bill for going to the website. We currently don't have a place for blogging. I've taken it down because I only received spammers, but you make me think I should try it again. Thanks for the idea.
Sally May
2:44 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Happy milestone birthday, Bill! Nice use of a lot of song lyrics. LOL But if you use "happy jump" in one more blog, I shall have a conniption fit.
David Knight
3:58 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
This is pretty amazing! Thank you for the story. I enjoyed reading it.
Sheri & Bill Eppright
9:56 pm on Friday, February 24, 2012
Hi David,
Thank you for the applause. It's a risk when one puts their heart on their sleeve, and openly shares their thoughts. Glad you enjoyed it. Are you a baby boomer with a positive story to share?
Positively yours,
Bill